Work

Vulnerability and impact of climate change on horticultural crop production in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: The Western Cape has been identified as highly vulnerable to projected climate change within a global and national context.Rising temperatures are already detectable and are predicted to increase by a further 1-2 °C within the next 30 years, together with decreasing rainfall especially in winter.Agricultural production will experience a primary impact with resulting socio-economic implications.Horticultural crop production, which includes stone and pome fruit, table and wine grapes, citrus fruit, and fynbos cutflowers and other fynbos products, contributes about 60% to total income from agricultural commodities in the province.Some of these commodities are reliant on irrigation whereas others are rain-fed, and some are more sensitive to increasing temperature than others.Agriculture is particularly sensitive to inter-annual climatic variability and the risks posed by extremes in rainfall and temperature.An analysis of possible impacts on horticultural crop production was conducted on a sub-regional basis throughout the Western Cape Province.Adaptation options were identified, and the most vulnerable crops and sub-regions prioritised.Needs and opportunities for further research were identified.

Source: South African Journal of Botany

DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2007.02.142

Author: S.J.E. Wand

Institution: Stellenbosch University

Language: English

Topic: Climate change impacts on agriculture

Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,750